Kerr calls for old passion to fire new era

Brian Kerr has seen every match that the Republic of Ireland have played at Lansdowne Road – a record that goes back 28 years, to 1975 and Italy, when he stood behind one of the goals. Tonight he will be in the dug-out.

As he surveyed the old stadium, never a comfortable venue, little physically appears to have changed during the intervening years. But the landscape of Irish football has shifted dramatically. It may be about to do so again.

These are uncertain months for the Irish. Not least at "Fortress Lansdowne" where, in losing to Switzerland last autumn, they recklessly surrendered their eight-year unbeaten record in competitive games as the crowd turned.

"It is hard for the players when there is an atmosphere of criticism," Kerr, the new manager, said in reference to the game which hastened Mick McCarthy's departure. "You would hope that people would overlook mistakes as long as the desire was there."

Desire is something he has clearly instilled. The homecoming, for the friendly against Norway, provides an opportunity to continue the rehabilitation Kerr started with his first three games, all away from Dublin and all without defeat.

But it comes against a realisation that qualification for Euro 2004 will still take some achieving. Indeed a more important fixture – Georgia at home to Russia – finishes before Ireland take to the field. A Russian defeat and the mood will lighten.

Another realisation is that the squad that went to the World Cup is diminishing. The Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely from international football, at 32, is the latest to retire. Tonight Shay Given, 27, will win his 50th cap. Little, bar injury, appears to prevent him winning another 50. "We have gone from a situation in which we had three experienced goalkeepers [Alan Kelly retired last year] to now having one," Kerr said. Nicky Colgan, of Hibernian, will play some part tonight.

The situation is replicated elsewhere. Up front no replacement for Niall Quinn has been found. In midfield Mark Kinsella is too similar to Matt Holland, captain in the absence of the injured Kenny Cunningham. Also out are Gary Doherty and John O'Shea.

No one is more aware of the vulnerability of his resources than Kerr. "We are back on the road a little bit," he said referring to his record. "It's a young team, a changing team that needs help. Some of the older soldiers have moved on.

"In the past the combination of the team playing well and the fervent support has been difficult for other teams to deal with," he said. "I hope we can get back to that for the next few games."

To do so, Kerr has promised adventure. "The whole approach when we are at home needs to be more attacking," he said. But do not expect goals. In five previous meetings just one – by the Norwegians – has been scored. The visitors are undergoing a revival and head their qualifying group although they are depleted here. Claus Lundekvam is also doubtful.

Kerr may adopt a positive approach, but the selection will be conservative. Changes will be made but, even though it is a friendly, the result matters.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (probable: 4-4-2): Given (Newcastle United); Carr (Tottenham), Breen (West Ham), Dunne (Manchester City), Harte (Leeds) or Finnan (Fulham); Carsley (Everton), Kinsella (Aston Villa), Holland (Ipswich), Kilbane (Sunderland); Duff (Blackburn), Keane (Tottenham).

NORWAY (probable: 4-5-1): Olsen (Viking); Basma (Rosenborg), Johnsen (Aston Villa), Lundekvam (Southampton) or Hansen (Arminia Bielefeld), Bergdolmo (Ajax); Carew (Valencia), Svindal Larsen (Nurnberg), Leonhardsen (Aston Villa), Andersen (Wimbledon), Iversen (Tottenham Hotspur); Flo (Sunderland).